Spotlight Communities

Who: General Services Administration (GSA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) U.S. Global Change Research Program, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and District of Columbia Government.

Where: Washington, D.C.

Background: The National Capital Region (NCR) Climate Risks Preparation and Adaptation Pilot builds capacity and confidence to address climate risks in a region that is home to the greatest number of federal employees. The pilot will leverage the combined capabilities of participating agencies to evaluate risks and vulnerabilities on agency operations and devise a plan to manage climate impacts.

What will happen in 2013: GSA will focus on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) building located at 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. The IRS has identified this building as both mission critical and vulnerable.

In January 2013, an all-day scenario brought participants together to consider extreme temperature, sea-level rise, and extreme precipitation impacts projected for the long-term. NASA supplied downscaled climate data, IRS brought experience from a flooding event at their facility in 2006, and NCPC provided expertise in comprehensive planning. The scenario tackled impacts to specific systems, facility and supply chain assets, and considered how to identify partners and funding needs.

The team is now moving forward with establishing priorities for creating a climate preparation and adaptation plan for the IRS building and surrounding areas. The plan is expected to be adaptable to many federal building in the National Capital Region.

Relevance to Executive Order 13514: Agencies must evaluate climate change risks and vulnerabilities to manage the effects of climate change on agency operations and mission in the short and long term.

The GreenGov Spotlight Communities Initiative demonstrates how collaboration across Federal agencies can result in nationwide sustainability. There are six showcase projects, including 14 different agencies.